Unit information: Advanced Options in Biochemistry in 2020/21

Unit name	Advanced Options in Biochemistry
Unit code	BIOC30600
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Mike Jones
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	BIOC20002 and BIOC20001
Co-requisites	Advanced Cell Biology BIOC30601 The Dynamic Proteome BIOC30604 Cellular Information BIOC30602
School/department	School of Biochemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students study advanced topics from a variety of specialist lecture elements. These topics are largely based around the research specializations of staff within the School. There are typically six elements available, each containing 8 lectures. Students are recommended to study three of these elements. The current elements are:

1. Synthetic Biology
2. Protein Science in Therapy and Technology
3. DNA-Protein Interactions
4. Molecular Basis of Disease
5. Neurobiochemistry
6. Cancer

Students on the Biochemistry with Molecular Biology and Biotechnology degree programmes study elements 1-3, while those on the Biochemistry with Medical Biochemistry degree programmes study elements 4-6. Students on the Biochemistry degree programme have free choice of elements.

The unit aims to develop an understanding of key concepts in specialist areas of Biochemistry. The elements aims are as follows:

Synthetic Biology

• Rational protein design and engineering
• Synthetic biology and the ethics associated with engineering biological systems

Protein Science in Therapy and Technology

• Engineering proteins for therapeutic uses
• Biotechnology for alternative energy sources

DNA-Protein Interactions

• How proteins recognise specific DNA sequences and move along the DNA molecule
• DNA unwinding and transcription

Molecular Basis of Disease

• Prion diseases
• Malaria and other blood disorders

Neurobiochemistry

• Neurological disorders
• Post-translational modification & synaptic plasticity

Cancer

• The molecular basis of cancer
• Cancer cell biology

Intended Learning Outcomes

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced topics covered in the unit and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the relevant field.

• The ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.

• An understanding of the importance of specialist medical biochemistry and molecular biology and biotechnology.

Teaching Information

Asynchronous lectures and synchronous discussion sessions.

Assessment Information

Assessment for learning (formative)

Formative assessments are taken as part of other units to prepare the students for the timed assessment.

Assessment of learning (summative)

The unit will be assessed as follows:

• 100% a timed assessment in May/June.

Reading and References

Reviews and primary articles from the current scientific literature.